Locomotive tender



Feb, l, 1927' w. M. sHEEHAN LOCOMOTIVE TENDER Filed April 18, 1925 N\ Nmvn.

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atented Feb. 1, 1927.

Nrrsn STATES WILLIAM M. SHEEHAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI,

ASSIGNOR TO COMMONWEALTH STEEL COMTANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LOCOMOTIVE TENDER.

Application flea April 1s, 1925. serial No. 24,174.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in locomotive tenders of the type that carry cylindrical tanks more particularly to the method of fastenlng the tank to the tender frame.

It is customary in the construction of locomotive tenders where a cylindrical tank is used, to mount the tank on wooden blocks, rather than have a direct metal to 1o metal contact between the tank and the tender frame. The usual method of holding the tank in position on the tender frame consists of metallic straps or hands passed over the tank and terminating at either end in threaded portions which fit into slots in brackets on the tender frame and have nuts on the under side of the' tender frame' that are utilized to hold the band and the tank rmly in position. For these 2@ bands to properly hold the tank in place, it is essential that they he approximately tangent to the point at which they leave the surface of the tank to prevent undue strain and the liability of having one of the bands break. In time, the Wooden blocks upon which the tank is mounted dry out, shrink, and are compressed, thus permitting the tank to settle. In order to take up the bands, they must be moved in the so slotted portions of the bracket through which they are passed so that the band will be tan ent or approximately so to the point at which they leave contact of the tank when they are again tightened. It can he 3c readily seen that it would be easily possible for the new' tangent line of the hand to pass beyond the outer extremity of the tender frame brackets with only a comparatively slight shrinkage of the wooden blocks,

a@ thus necessitating the removal of the tank and installation of new blocks long before the old blocks have been so far compressed as to permit a metal to metal contact between ythe tank and the tender frame. As the tank 4.5 settles toward the tender frame the two tangent lines formed by each band tend to get further apart until they finally lie beyond the brackets provided to receive the ends of the hand.

The object of my invention is to provide ce means for fastening a cylindrical tender tank to the tender frame that eliminates the necessity of any adjustment when compensating for the compression of the wooden blocks upon which the tanks rest-s.

Another object is to provide a fastening means that eliminates the factor of the expansion of metal due to heat as a consideration and permits the use of close fitting bolt holes in the connection to the tender frame.

A still further object is to provide fastening means that under all conditions permit the utilization of the tank supporting blocks until they are compressed to a point that permits metal to metal contact.

lVith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanyinv drawings, in which- *igure 1 is a top plan half view of a tender frame adapted to use my improved tank fastening means.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section taken through the longitudinal center line of the tender frame.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on line 3T3 of Figure l and showing the tank in p ace.

vFigure 4 is a cross section taken on line 41-4 of Figure Il and showing the tank in p ace.

Figure 5 is a cross section taken 0n line :5i-5 of Figure l and showing the tank in ace.

p The numeral 1 in the drawing indicates the side sills of a tender frame. 2 are end sills joining together and spacingside sills l. The center sills 3 and 4 and the-bod holsters 5 and 6 are provided with upstan ing edges 7 The top surfaces of the center sills 3 and 4 and of the holsters -5 and 6 conform to the outer curvature ofthe cylindrical tank 8 whichis adapted to be placed thereon. members likewise conform to this curvature.

Blocks of wood 9 being shaped to present a curved surface to correspond approximately tothe tank 8 are placed on the top surfaces of the center sills 3 and 4 and on The upstanding edges 7 0f these the holsters 5 and 6. These wooden blocks i are held against displacement by the upstanding sides 7 of these members but they extend upwardly beyond the limit of the upstanding edges to space the tank 8 and prevent its contacting with the tender frame. On each of the end sills 2 is a pair of upstanding members 10 and 11 which conform to the outer curvature of the tank 8 and are provided with upstanding edges 12 in similar conformity.

Blocks of wood are placed within the up-l standing edges 12 of members 10 and 11 which are also shaped to present a curved surface to the tank. At each side of center sills 3 and 4 and of bolsters 5 and 6 steplike projections or lugs 13 are located. These members project outwardly from the side sills 1 of the tender frame. Similar lugs 14 extend outwardly from the bases of each of the members 10 and 11. Bolt holes 15 are provided in all of the lugs 13 and 14. Brackets 16 having their upper ends 17 curved in conformity with the tank 8 have thisL portion 17 rmly riveted to the tank. The vertical portions 18 of the bracket are intended to be positioned close to the outer sides of the side sills and thus prevent lateral displacement of lche tank.

The horizontal legs 19 of the brackets are provided with holes 20 which are n alignment with the bolt holes 15 on the lugs 13 and 14. Bolts 21 are provided to be passed through the bolt holes 15 and 20 and fasten brackets 16 to their lugs 13 and 14.A Normally, the brackets 16 are somewhat spaced from the lugs 13 and 14.

In the assembly of my improved locomotive tender, the various blocks of wood 9 are put in their places. Tank 8 is placed in position resting on these wooden blocks and the brackets 16 are then located and riveted to the tank. Bolts 21 are passed through the-bolt holes 15 and 20 and the nuts 22 firmly complete the fasteningof the tank 8 to the tender frame. The wooden blocks 9 cause the horizontal legs 19 of the brackets to be spaced from their lugs 13 and 14. After the tender has been in use for a period ofl time and the wooden blocks 9 have become somewhat dried out, the constant weight of the tank and its contents resting thereon tends to compress the Wooden blocks and thereby loosen the connection between the tank and the tenderl frame.

With my improved method of connecting these members it is merely necessary to tighten the nuts 22 on the bolts21 to compensate for this compression. The settling of tank 8 is in a vertical line and by the use of brackets instead of straps, the question of tangents is eliminated.

It is obvious that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved tender frame can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of m mvention, as expressed in the following c aims. f

I claim:

1. In a tank car, a frame having compressible blocks thereon, a tank carried by said blocks, brackets fixed to said tank and having horizontal bolting surfaces normally spaced from said frame, and bolts connecting said brackets to said frame adapted to compensate for compression of said blocks by drawing said brackets to a point of contact with said frame.

2. In a tank car, a frame having compressible blocks thereon, a. tank carried by said blocks, and brackets xed to said tank having horizontal bolting surfaces and depending in close proximity to the sides of said frame.

3..In a tank car, a frame havin compressible blocks thereon, a tank resting on said blocks, brackets fixed to said tank and depending therefrom, said depending portions being in close proximity to said frame, and horizontal legs on said brackets normally spaced from and fastened to -said frame.

4. In a tank car, a frame having compressible blocks thereon, a tank resting on said blocks, outwardly projecting lugs on said frame, said lugs being spaced from the top edge of said frame, and brackets fastened to said tank terminating in horizontal lugs spaced from and adapted to be adjustably fastened to said lugs.

5. In a tank car, a frame having compressible yblocks thereon, a tank resting on said blocks, outwardly projecting lugs on said frame, said lugs being spaced from the top edge of said frame brackets fastened to said tank and depen ing therefrom, said depending portions being 1n close prom'mity to the sides of said frame, and horizontal legs on said brackets spaced from and adapte to be fastened to said lugs.

6.A In a tank car, a frame, a tank carried by said frame, brackets fastened to said tank and depending therefrom, said de pending portions bemg in close proximity to the sides of said frame and vertically adjustable means fastening said brackets to said frame.

7. In a tank car, a frame, a tank carried by said frame, horizontal Alugs rojectin outwardly from said frame, brac ets fixe to said tank to prevent lateral movement relative to the frame7 and horizontal legs forming parts of said brackets s aced from and adjustably connected to said ugs.

8. In a tank car, a frame, a tank carried by said frame, outwardly projectin lugs on said frame, said lugs being space from the top edge of'said frame, brackets fixed to said tankand depending therefrom, said depending portons being 1n close proximity to Lamm w the sies of said frame, and horizontal legs being fixed in relation to and adapted to on said brackets adapted to be fastened to 'prevent lateral movement of said tank and saidlugs. adjustable in a vertical direction relative to 10 9. ln a locomotive tender, a tender frame., said frame.. l l 5 wood blocks on said frame, a cylinrical tank In testimony Whereol.2 l hereunto aix my on said wood blocks,v and bracketsoonnectsignature this 15 da of A ril, 1925. ing' saidl tank and said frame, said brackets 1' 1* IAMI SHEEHAN. 

